Hand Protector

ABSTRACT

An impact reducing hand protector which can minimize injuries associated with boxing and martial arts training. The wearer&#39;s fist is separated from the rear of the padding at the front of the hand protector preventing impact on the wearer&#39;s fingers and knuckles when the hand protector strikes a target. A gripping member extends across the fist space. A support strap encircles the wrist section of the hand protector and can be fastened around the wrist portion holding the wrist portion of the hand protector around the wrist of the wearer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a hand protector to be worn while practicing boxing and martial art, which is designed to reduce the impact upon the wearer's fingers and knuckles when striking a target.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A shortcoming of conventional boxing gloves used for boxing and martial arts is the severe impact upon the hands when striking a target, for example a punching bag. This impact can be quite painful and also cause painful injuries to the wearer's hands, fingers and wrist. This shortcoming has caused many to become discouraged and lose interests in practicing boxing and martial arts.

Many different versions of boxing gloves have been developed to solve this problem.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,855,633; KARATE GLOVE; Rhee; issued 24 Dec. 1974, discloses a protective glove for use in karate.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,044; HAND AND WRIST STABILIZATION DEVICE; Estwanik; issued 11 Jan. 2000, discloses a force dispensation pad attached to a wrist compression strap.

U.S. Pat. No. 421,447; BOXING GLOVE; Stewart; issued 18 Feb. 1890, discloses a thumbless boxing glove with a clinching bar.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,841; BOXING GLOVE; Stanford; issued 2 Apr. 1996, discloses a boxing glove with an impact reducing mechanism.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,820; INFLATABLE BOXING GLOVE OR PILLOW; Petrusek; issued 4 Sep. 1974, discloses an inflatable boxing glove.

Another shortcoming of conventional boxing gloves is the use of fabric material in an enclosed mitt which traps the user's perspiration, leading to bacteria breeding and foul odor.

Different versions of boxing gloves have been developed to solve this problem as well.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,704,936; BOXING GLOVE INCORPORATING MULTI-LAYER, ANTI-ABSORBENT MATERIALS; Carlin; issued 16 Mar. 2004, discloses a boxing glove with an waterproof inner lining.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Millions of people practice boxing and martial arts, both competitively and recreationally. Boxing and martial arts training are beneficial in that they help to develop strength, stamina and conditioning, as well as teaching self-defense and building self-confidence. Many boxing and martial arts practitioners develop injuries to their hands because traditional boxing gloves transfer the impact directly to the wearer's hands and fingers when a target is struck.

Accordingly, it is the principal objection of the invention to provide a hand protector which prevents contact between the front of the hand protector and the wearer's fingers and knuckles while striking a target, for example a punching bag.

It is another object of the invention to provide a hand protector which prevents flexion of the wearer's wrist while striking a target, which can lead to wrist injury.

It is another object of the invention to provide a hand protector which facilitates the participation in boxing and martial arts by individuals with hand injuries and ailments, for example arthritis, by preventing contact between the hand and the target being struck.

It is another object of the invention to provide a hand protector which is water resistant and does not fully enclose the wearer's hand, allowing perspiration to escape easily.

Generally, the hand protector comprises a resilient material which is shaped and adapted to cover the fingers, the side and back of the hand, the wrist and a portion of the arm.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

As compared to known boxing and martial arts gloves, the hand protector of the present invention tends to provide greater protection from injury, in that: the impact from striking the target is not transmitted directly to the wearer's hand, fingers and knuckles.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon further review of the following specifications and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and are not intended to be limiting. Throughout the drawings, like elements are referred to by like numerals.

The invention will now be more fully described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hand protector with the user's hand clenching the handgrip in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a volar/palm side view of the hand protector of FIG. 1 with the user's hand clenching the handgrip

FIG. 3 is a lateral view of the hand protector of FIG. 1 with a phantom view of the user's hand clenching the handgrip

FIG. 4 is a dorsal/top side view of the hand protector with a phantom view of the user's hand clenching the handgrip

FIG. 5 is a distal/front view of the hand protector with a phantom view of the user's hand clenching the handgrip

FIG. 6 is a proximal/rear view of the hand protector without the wrist strap

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the various embodiments of the present invention are herein described with specific examples are not intended to be limiting, and those of skill in the art will appreciate and recognize other embodiments and advantages of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, in which like parts are identified by numerals throughout all figures, a hand protector 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail.

The hand protector is formed from a resilient material 14. A smooth outer surface 16 covers the resilient material. The hand protector comprises a front end portion 12 which is used to strike a target. The front end portion is connected to longitudinal walls 30 that protect the outsides of the wearer's hand and a rear portion 18 which protects the back of the wearer's hand, wrist and forearm. A hand grip 22 runs laterally (i.e. at 90°) to the plane of symmetry of the longitudinal walls 30. The hand grip 22 is covered with a cushioning material 20. The ends of the hand grip 22 protrude into the longitudinal walls 30 on both sides of the hand protector. The hand grip 22 is positioned so that the fingers and knuckles of the wearer's clenched fist is a minimum of a quarter of an inch from the rear of the front end portion 12. The hand protector has a rear portion 28 which extends to cover the back of the wearer's wrist and forearm. A support strap 24 is adapted to encircle the rear portion of the hand protector and can be adjusted to tighten the rear portion 28 around the wearer's wrist or forearm. The distance between the rear of the front end portion 12 and the hand grip 22 creates a cavity 32 between the fingers and knuckles of the wearer's fist and the rear of the front end portion 12 which prevents the wearer's fingers and knuckles from making contact with the front end portion 12 when a target is struck. The hand grip 22, along with the rear portion 18 of the hand protector and support strap 24 splint the wearer's wrist to reduce the likelihood of wrist strain due to flexion of the wrist while striking a target.

The hand protector is worn as shown in FIG. 1-5 and the wearer's hand is clenched around the hand grip to retain the front end of the hand protector. Support strap 24 is adjusted around the wrist or forearm of the wearer to retain the rear portion of the glove.

For ease of use, support strap 24 preferably comprise hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro™. However other means of tightening the rear portion 28 may also be used. In preferred embodiments a strap ring 26 is used to help secure support strap 24. Other embodiments may not include the strap ring.

In other embodiments the longitudinal walls can be tapered to fit snuggly around the wearer's forearm.

In other embodiments the hand grip can be oriented at an angle other than 90° to the plane of symmetry of the hand protector 10 so as to better accommodate either left or right hand.

The hand grip 22 can be manufactured of any compliant material, including, without limitation, metal, plastic, wood, etc.

The support strap 24 can be manufactured of any compliant material, including, without limitation, cotton, polyester, nylon, neoprene,

The strap ring 26 can be manufactured of any compliant material, including, without limitation, metal, plastic, wood, etc.

Embodiments of the hand protector disclosed herein can be manufactured of any compliant material of suitable weight and resilience. Particular examples include, without limitation, foam (or foam rubber), polyurethane foam, closed or open cell foam, polyethylene foam, other foam materials, etc. In some embodiments the hand protector can be formed in a single piece, for example from a single mold. In other embodiments, separate parts of the hand protector can be made and then connected to form one structure by, for example but without limitation, heating, welding, adhering, sewing, stitching or otherwise joining the parts. In other embodiments, the hand protector can be manufactured of any sort of conventional padding material and covered with an outer coating.

In preferred embodiments the hand protector is formed from a resilient foam material and coated with a soft, pliable material. Preferably the coating is a plastic material which can be heated during molding of the foam material to produce a fused coating on the foam.

Alternatively, the coating can be formed by dipping or applying a coating of suitable plastic material. In other embodiments the hand protector can include a separate exterior layer formed of, without limitation, leather, rubber, etc., and/or any other material that is commonly used in upholstery. In certain embodiments, the outer surface of the hand protector is co-extensive with the material that forms the body of the hand protector—that is, there is no outer coating.

The outer surface of the hand structure can be provided in any color. The outer surface can be further decorated with, for example names, logos and other images.

The elements of the present invention described herein may be used in a variety of hand protectors for specific types of activities. For example the features may be incorporated into hand protectors worn in specific activities such as boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts, in which each may use hand protectors of different sizes, including, but not limited to, small, medium, large and extra-large. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hand protector for use in boxing and martial arts training made from foam rubber
 2. A hand protector of claim 1, wherein the foam rubber comprises polyethylene foam rubber
 3. A hand protector of claim 1, comprises a front end portion which is used to strike a surface, such as a punching bag
 4. A hand protector of claim 1, comprises longitudinal walls which cover the sides of the wearer's hand
 5. A hand protector of claim 1, comprises a rear portion which covers the back of the wearer's hand, wrist and forearm
 6. A hand protector of claim 1, comprises a hand grip laterally traversing the opening between the longitudinal walls,
 7. A hand protector of claim 1, comprises a hand grip configured to permit the hand to form a fist about the hand grip
 8. A hand protector of claim 1, comprises a hand grip covered with a cushioning material
 9. A hand protector of claim 1, comprises a lateral space of at least a quarter of an inch between the rear of the front end portion and the wearer's fingers and knuckles when the hand grip is held
 10. A hand protector of claim 1, wherein the hand protector is generally symmetrical and the hand grip extends generally normal to the plane of symmetry.
 11. A hand protector of claim 1, comprises a support strap which encircles the wearer's forearm
 12. A hand protector of claim 1, wherein the support strap is substantially rigid such that when tightened about the forearm the strap impedes flexion of the wrist and forearm
 13. A hand protector of claim 1, wherein the support strap comprises a non-stretch material.
 14. A hand protector of claim 1, wherein the hand protectors are selected from a group consisting of small, medium, large and extra-large sizes. 